MIDDLESBROUGH lacked spirit or confidence as Manchester United secured an easy victory at the Riverside this afternoon.

Sir Alex Ferguson rested seven players from the side that beat Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final last Tuesday. But United still had too much for Boro who, despite working hard, often seemed in awe of their title-chasing opponents.

Andrew Taylor was withdrawn from Gareth Southagte's starting XI after the left back tweaked his groin. The injury is not thought to be serious and he remains in contention for his side's do-or-die clash with Newcastle in eight days.

With the visitors aiming for league and European glory, Ferguson rested the likes of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo from his starting line-up. But Wayne Rooney,Dimitar Berbatov and PFA PLayer of the Year Ryan Giggs ensured Boro's defence had plenty to think about.

In the opening 20 minutes, Southgate's side matched the visitors with Matthew Bates' industry and the odd flash of quality from Tuncay suggesting the hosts could take something from the game.

But once United went ahead through Giggs left foot drive on 25 minutes, a tenth away victory of the season for Ferguson's side seemed a formality. Confidence drained from Southgate's side as the visitors took control of the game. Their best chance of staging a recovery was denied them when referee Mark Halsey waved away clamins for a penalty after Berbatov appeared to have handled in the area.

But when Ji-Sung Park fired home Rooney's cute reverse pass on 52 minutes, Boro's chance of staging a recovery were gone.

Afonso Alves came on for the wholly-ineffective Marlon King, but the United centre-back pairing of Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic remained untroubled.

Another capacity crowd failed to inspire their team who could have suffered a heavier defeat had United chosen to step up a gear.

If Middlesbrough fail to take something from the upcoming Tyne-Tees derby clash, the Riverside will almost certainly not be hosting the likes of Man United next season.

Middlesbrough: Jones, McMahon (Digard 55), Wheater, Huth, Hoyte, O'Neil (Emnes 70), Sanli, Bates, Downing, King (Alves 55), Aliadiere. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Arca, Adam Johnson, Grounds.

Booked: Huth.

Man Utd: Foster, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra (Rafael Da Silva 78), Park (Nani 74), Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov, Macheda (Tevez 55). Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Ronaldo, Anderson, Gibson.

Booked: Macheda.